Street Corn Pasta Salad

Name: Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cotija Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb rotini pasta; salt, for pasta water; 1 tbsp butter; 1 (12 oz) package fire roasted corn, frozen; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1 cup sour cream; 2 tsp chile and lime seasoning blend; 1 tsp Sazon seasoning; 2 tsp chili powder; 1 lime, juiced; 1/2 cup red onion, diced; 1 jalapeno, diced; 1/2 cup green onions, sliced; 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped; 1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled; Tajin seasoning, for garnish; Reserved toppings for garnish (red onion, jalapeno, green onions, cilantro, corn); Extra Cotija cheese, for garnish

Street Corn Pasta Salad combines rotini with fire-roasted corn, Cotija cheese, and a spiced mayonnaise-sour cream dressing inspired by classic Mexican elote. It's a creamy, tangy side dish that brings street-food flavors to any cookout.

🌍Mexican-Inspired 🏷️Street corn 🏷️Pasta salad 🏷️Elote 🏷️Cookout Summer

🏷️

-0:00

whatsmomcookinonTikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

8

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$32–$53

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by whatsmomcookin

-0:00

whatsmomcookinonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb rotini pasta
salt, for pasta water
1 tbsp butter
1 (12 oz) package fire roasted corn, frozen
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp chile and lime seasoning blend
1 tsp Sazon seasoning
2 tsp chili powder
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
1/2 cup green onions, sliced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
Tajin seasoning, for garnish
Reserved toppings for garnish (red onion, jalapeno, green onions, cilantro, corn)optional
Extra Cotija cheese, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season with salt, and cook the rotini pasta until al dente according to package directions.
2
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until completely cooled. Set aside.
3
While the pasta is cooking, heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the fire-roasted corn and cook until heated through.
4
Remove the corn from the heat and let it cool completely.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chile and lime seasoning, Sazon, chili powder, and the juice of one lime.
6
Whisk the dressing ingredients together until smooth and well combined.
7
Add the cooled pasta and cooled corn to the bowl with the dressing.
8
Add the diced red onion, diced jalapeno, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, and 1 cup of Cotija cheese.
9
Gently mix everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated in the dressing.
10
For garnish, top the salad with any reserved chopped vegetables, a little more Cotija cheese, and a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning.
11
Serve cold and enjoy.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Toast the fire-roasted corn in butter over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes to deepen the smoky flavor and evaporate excess moisture before mixing into the salad.
Make the dressing while the pasta cooks and cools slightly so the flavors have time to meld; taste and adjust chile and lime seasoning to your spice preference.
Reserve a small amount of the dressing to add just before serving—pasta absorbs liquid over time, so a quick mix-in keeps the salad creamy throughout the day.
Cool the rotini completely before combining with the mayo-sour cream dressing to prevent the dressing from breaking or becoming too thin.

Substitutions

Fire-roasted corn → fresh corn kernels, charred in a skillet (adds texture; loses slight smokiness)
Cotija cheese → queso fresco or feta (provides similar salty, crumbly texture)
Chile and lime seasoning blend → 1 tsp chili powder + zest of 1 lime (replaces pre-mixed seasoning)
Sazon seasoning → 1 tsp cumin + pinch of achiote or smoked paprika (mimics savory, earthy notes)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir in additional dressing or fresh lime juice before serving if the salad dries out.

Common Questions

Can you make Street Corn Pasta Salad ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the salad up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. The flavors meld well overnight, but add fresh lime juice and reserved dressing just before serving if it dries out.

What can I substitute for Cotija cheese?

Queso fresco, feta, or crumbled goat cheese work as alternatives. Cotija has a salty, crumbly texture that's ideal, but these provide similar tanginess.

Is this pasta salad vegetarian?

Yes, this recipe is vegetarian. All ingredients—pasta, corn, cheese, and the mayo-sour cream dressing—contain no meat.

How do I keep the salad from getting watery?

Don't dress it more than 2–3 hours before serving. Use frozen corn straight from the package rather than thawed, and pat it dry after heating. Drain any excess liquid before mixing.

Can I use fresh corn instead of frozen fire-roasted?

Yes. Fresh or canned corn works, though you'll lose the smoky depth. For a closer match, char fresh corn in a skillet or grill over high heat before adding.